Corneal Abrasion or Scratched Eye
A corneal abrasion is one of the most common eye injuries and is characterized by having a scratched eye or cornea. A scratched eye may sound dramatic, but it is typically a superficial scratch that can be caused by contact with innocuous particles such as dust or sand. However, this small injury increases your risk for more serious conditions, such as bacterial growth and eye infections. Call your eye doctor immediately if you suspect you have a corneal abrasion. A professional will be able to help you determine the condition of your eye and the proper corneal abrasion treatments.
Corneal Abrasion Symptoms
You have probably already had particles like dust and sand enter your eye, and you may be wondering what makes those instances different from a corneal abrasion. You will know if you scratched your cornea because it will suddenly feel like you have a large, uncomfortable object lodged underneath your lid.
Your cornea is sensitive, and so any damage will feel painful and extreme, even if you cannot see the scratch with the naked eye. In addition to discomfort, you will also experience symptoms such as redness, light-sensitivity, blurry vision, eye twitches, and occasional headaches.
Corneal Ulcers: Even if you feel like your corneal abrasion is mild, it is important to get it checked out by a professional. Untreated corneal abrasions run the risk of bacterial growth and infections, causing dangerous corneal ulcers, which can result in vision loss.
Corneal Abrasion Treatments and Prevention
Your eye is an incredible organism. For such fragile tissue, it is capable of incredible healing feats, with a little help from your optometrist. Your eye doctor will likely recommend one of the following options for your scratched cornea.
- Lubricating Drops: For less severe scratches, you may only require a lubricating drop to allow your eye the conditions it needs to heal on its own. Lubricating drops will keep your eye comfortable while it heals.
- Antibiotics: Deeper abrasions may take longer to heal and require a more sophisticated level of care. To avoid possible corneal scarring, your eye doctor may recommend antibiotic ointment or steroids.
- Bandage Contact Lens: While regular contact lenses should not be worn while a person has a scratched eye, bandage contact lenses can provide pain relief when used in tandem with prescription eye drops.
